Atotxa Stadium

Lore & Background

Atotxa Stadium was inaugurated on 5 October 1913 with a match between Real Sociedad and Athletic Club Bilbao, ending in a 3–3 draw. The first goal at the stadium was scored by Athletic Bilbao's Rafael Moreno Aranzadi, known as 'Pichichi', after whom the Spanish Primera División top scorer award is named. The stadium reached an approximate capacity of 27,000 spectators and hosted one Spain national team match in 1923.

The last official goal at Atotxa was scored by Real Sociedad Portuguese midfielder Oceano da Cruz on 13 June 1993, in a league game against Tenerife that ended 3–1 for the locals. A farewell event on 22 June 1993 featured a match between Real Sociedad and the Basque Country; the final goal at the stadium was scored by the young son of former Real defender Javier Sagarzazu, who had died suddenly at age 28 six years earlier. The boy ran toward the goal under a spotlight and scored into an empty net after the floodlights were turned off.

For 40 years, former Real Sociedad player Amadeo Labarta of Pasaia served as the stadium's caretaker and lived inside it. After Real Sociedad moved to Anoeta, the old stadium was preserved for a few years as a training ground for a rugby team before being demolished to build public housing.

Reader's Guide

Atotxa Stadium holds a significant place in the history of Real Sociedad and Spanish football. As the club's second home ground, it replaced Ondarreta Stadium and served for 80 years until the move to Anoeta in 1993. The stadium was built on the site of an 1888 velodrome and was inaugurated with a match featuring Athletic Club's legendary player Pichichi, who scored the first goal there. Atotxa was known for a unique tradition: setting off a firework after an opponent scored and two fireworks after a home goal, a practice said to allow seamen in the Bay of Biscay to follow match results. The stadium hosted one Spain national team match in 1923 and several regional team fixtures. Its demolition after serving as a rugby training ground marked the end of an era, but the traditions and memories associated with Atotxa, including the caretaker Amadeo Labarta's 40-year tenure, remain part of the club's heritage.

Did You Know?

• The last official goal at the stadium was scored by Real Sociedad's Portuguese midfielder Oceano da Cruz on 13 June 1993.
• For 40 years, former Real Sociedad player Amadeo Labarta lived inside the stadium as its caretaker.